Friday, September 19, 2014

Fung-wong Targets Taiwan, Japan After Flooding Philippines

By , Senior Meteorologist
September 19,2014; 9:40PM,EDT
 
 
See larger image below.
Tropical Storm Fung-wong will continue to inundate the northern Philippines through Saturday before taking aim at Taiwan and Japan.
Fung-wong (called Mario in the Philippines) made landfall in northeastern Luzon Island on Friday (local time) and has been unleashing torrential rain since across the entire island.
At least four people are dead, reports the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council of the Philippines.
Among the dead is a two-year-old girl from Quezon City who died from drowning. An infant boy, aged one month, died after being hit by an uprooted tree.
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The storm affected more than 513,000 people across the Philippines. That includes those in Metro Manila, the capital of the Philippines, as widespread flooding unfolded.
Weather observations from downtown Manila indicate that more than 140 mm (5.50 inches) of rain fell from late Thursday through Friday evening (local time). In nearby Quezon City, rain amounts exceeded 414 mm (16 inches).
The torrential rain has ended around Manila but will drop an additional 125 to 250 mm (5 to 10 inches) across northwestern Luzon by Saturday afternoon. The flooding and mudslide situation will only worsen.
Trapped residents are rescued to safety after heavy monsoon rains spawned by Tropical Storm Fung-wong flooded Marikina city, east of Manila, Philippines, and most parts of the metropolis Friday, Sept. 19, 2014. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)
As the rain tapers off across northwestern Luzon, the danger for flooding and mudslides will shift to Taiwan.
All of Taiwan will be at risk for the torrential rain and flooding Saturday night through later Sunday as Fung-wong tracks along the western parts of the island.
RELATED:
AccuWeather.com Hurricane Center
Philippines Weather Center
Taiwan Weather Center

The heaviest rain will initially focus on eastern areas but develop across western areas once the center of Fung-wong passes by to the north and a moist southwesterly wind resumes.

A total of 100 to 200 mm (4 to 8 inches) of rain will inundate the lower elevations, including Taipei. It is easy to see why the mudslide danger is so high with AccuWeather.com Meteorologist Adam Douty expecting a widespread 250 mm (10 inches) in the mountains with localized amounts of 500 mm (20 inches).
As Fung-wong gains some strength on its journey to Taiwan, damaging wind gusts of 80 to 115 kph (50 to 70 mph) will target southern parts of the island.
After slamming Taiwan, Fung-wong is expected to parallel the eastern coast of China before taking aim at Japan around the middle of next week. While Fung-wong may regain some of the strength it loses over the mountainous island of Taiwan, the combination of land interaction and disruptive wind shear will keep Fung-wong below typhoon status.

China is expected to escape the worst of Fung-wong, but the coastline from near Zhoushan to Wenzhou to Fuzhou will still experience localized downpours totaling 50 to 100 mm (2 to 4 inches) and isolated wind gusts to 65 kph (40 mph) late Sunday through Monday night. Such winds could lead to sporadic power outages and tree damage.
However, AccuWeather.com meteorologists are monitoring the possibility of Fung-wong tracking closer to the coast or onshore with its heavy rain. Such a track could put Shanghai at risk for the soaking rain.
Japan and South Korea should then be on high alert for potential flooding rain, damaging winds and mudslides around the middle of next week, warned AccuWeather.com Meteorologist Eric Leister.
Current indications put western Japan and southern South Korea at greatest risk for damaging winds.
All residents of Taiwan, eastern China, South Korea and Japan should continue to check back with AccuWeather.com for the latest on this deadly tropical storm.

On Social Media
BBC Weather
bbcweather
ASIA: After a glancing blow to the northern Philippines, #tropicalstorm Fung-Wong looks like heading for Taiwan. Stav D
Allan (Big Al) Beck
allandbeck2
If you have family in Taiwan or Japan, tell them to brace for this. fb.me/6MDjSIhla
James Reynolds
EarthUncutTV
About to board a flight to Taiwan to document potential flooding from severe tropical storm #Fung-wong #MarioPH
 

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